BQM 240

I am interested as to what people's opinions are of . This deviation from joseki was played by the Russian Professional player Alexandre Dinerchtein.

Only the lower right corner is included for the minute, because i'd like to discuss just the joseki itself without specifics positions across the board.

I am concerned that white is playing into a shoulder hit, and seemingly leaving the possiblity of making a base more remote.

19x19 diagram

Calvin: Interesting. If white is very strong in the upper right maybe black a could be made heavy. I can't understand it otherwise. I'm looking forward to stronger players' comments, or for the rest of the board to be shown.

Velobici: Joseki are locally even results taking into account who played first in the corner, where the first stone was located et cetera. Deviation from joseki may be warranted or even dicated based upon the whole board situation. Given that Alexandre Dinerchtein is a professional, we are going to learn when this deviation is better for white than the joseki.

White's Hope?

Mef: Perhaps he was trying to end up with something like this? after his shape looks pretty safe to me, so I think he might be able to either take sente/ try to attack the top stones. Even without that though, if white has a strong position in the upper right limiting B's extenstion, I think even just getting might be reasonable, especially if white didn't have the ladder to begin with.

IanDavis: I suppose that play would give White a substantial corner, but isn't it too focused on territory? (Black having walls on both sides)

Dieter: I actually think it is a trick play. See below. If Black plays calmly as in the above, the marked stone can be captured.

Another choice?

Calvin: Maybe black would prefer to play in this case. Then what is white's best continuation?

Mef: I'm certainly not one capable of saying best, but I'd say maybe exchange for , and then focus on the right side.

Rich: If white gets to play at 3, she's connected. Black plays this joseki to get influence along the bottom; white is prepared to sacrifice for a base and some influence along the side. In answer to the original question - since this joseki's already underway the lower side must be interesting for black, so either play solidly as Dieter suggests below, or turn above in the original diagram. Without the whole board, though, it's hard to say; and whatever we say, I think a professional like Alexandre Dinerchtein probably knows better...

Joseki

Standard joseki per Kogo's Joseki Dictionary 27 March 2005.
Variations for include the location of (inferior to ) and a (considered vulgar).

Dave: The comment on being inferior to seems very dated. Since the 1990's before has become the standard sequence in professional play by a wide margin.

Dieter: This looks better for White. The purpose of the marked play must somehow to enable . If Black doesn't fall for the trick, then the marked stone will end up weak. But I'm sure I'm missing Alexandre's point.

Dave: Yi played at a later point in the standard sequence in the 30th Wangwi against Kim. Of course if Black answers at 3, White will be able to extend in the corner at 2 without being cut at a. Black's answer at in the corner seems natural but White gets to undercut the right side as compensation.